Compressed-air water-elevator.



No. ssznez. Patented Se t. 41 I900. T. 4.. nsmonesr.

CUMPRESSEH Am WATER ELEVATUR.

(Application filed Raw. 27,, 1899.)

2 Shanty-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 657,l92. Patented Sept. 4, I900. T. J. DEMOREST.

COMPRESSED AIR WATER ELEVATOR.

gApplicazion filed Nov. 27, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Nil Model.)

M t m m UNrrED STATES PATENT Grinch.

THOMAS J. DEMOREST, OF GARFIELD, WASHINGTON.

COM PRESSED-AIR WATER-"ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,192, datedSeptember 4, 1900. Applicationtiled1T0vembii27,i899 Sria1No.738 4=04. (Nmodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. DEMOREST, a citizen of the United States,residing at Garfield, in the county of Whitman and State of \Vashington,have invented a new and useful Compressed-Air ater-Elevator, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to compressed-air water-elevators; and it has forone object to provide an automatically-operating apparatus of thischaracter having simple and reliable means for elevating the water orother fluid from wells or reservoirs to its point of use. To this endthe invention primarily contemplates simple and efficient means forautomatically controlling the valves in connection with a novelarrangement of piping whereby the supply of compressed air will beautomatically controlled and also exhausted at intervals to permit ofthe intermittent filling of the tank or tanks and the forcible dischargeof water through the main deliverypipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementof parts whereby a continuous and uniform stream may be constantlydischarged through the main delivery-pipe during the operation ofv theapparatus. 7

With these and many other objects in vi e'w, which will more readilyappear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The fundamental features of the invention which insure the automaticsupplying and exhausting of the air to the tank or tanks are necessarilysusceptible to a variety of modifications without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention; but the preferred embodiment of theimprovements is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l isa vertical longitudinal sectional view of a compressed-airwater-elevator embodying the improvements contemplated by the presentinvention, showing the different parts of the apparatus in position toprovide for the discharge of water from the upper movable receiving-tankwhile the lower stauid has the main working parts of the apparatusassociated therewith; but to insure a continuous and uniform dischargeof the liquid through thedelivery-pipe there is preferably employed apair of liquid-receiving tanks '1 and 2, which are arranged one abovethe other, so as to occupy as little space as possible and permit of theapparatus being placed in bored or drilled wells. Both of theliquidreceiving tanks 1 and 2 are designed to be submerged in the wateror liquid to be elevated and are of any size or shape, accord ing to thedesired capacity of the apparatus and the nature of the well orreservoir in connection with which the same are employed.

The tank 1 may be referred to as a buoyant tank, inasmuch as the same isdesigned to rise and fall in the water or liquid in which it issubmerged, and as the essential features of the invention are embodiedin the parts associated with this tank reference will first be madethereto independent of the action of the lower stationary tank 2 and theparts combined therewith to provide for the con- -tinuous discharge ofthe Water.

The vertically-movable receiving-tank 1 is provided in the bottomthereof with a waterinlet opening 3, whichis designed to be covered anduncovered by an inwardly-opening inlet-valve t. The Water-inlet valve 4preferably consists of a flat valve plate ordisk 5, having a gasket orequivalent packing 6 to provide a water and air tight closure when thevalve is seated upon the bottom of the tank.

cated inside of the receiving-tank 1, Within a the bottom portionthereof, and has fitted to the center thereof a depending valve-stem 7,.arranged to workin the guide-tube 8, rigidly. supported centrally withinthe water-inlet The inwardly-openingvalve 4 is lo-.

opening 3, and providing means, in connection with the stem 7, forretainingthe valve 4 in proper working position and causing the same toevenly seat and unseat itself during the action of the apparatus.Inasmuch as the tank 1 is submerged in the water or liquid to beelevated, the release of air-pressure within the tank permits the valve4 to open inwardly to uncover the inlet openingii,

thereby admitting a supply of water to the interior of the tank, andthrough the means hereinafter described this water or liquid issubsequently forced out of the tank through the water-discharge pipe 9.The water discharge pipe 9 is fitted in the top of thevertically-movable tank 1 and depends therein to a point near its bottomor in sufficiently-close proximity to the valve 4 to permit of the tank1 being practically emptied entirely of the water therein, and toaccommodate the ver* tical movement of the tank 1 without interfering'with the free discharge of water therefronrthe discharge pipe 9 isprovided exterior to the tank and above the top thereof with a atelescopic joint 10. The exterior telescopic joint 10 of thedischarge-pipe 9 essentially consists of the fixed and movablepipe-sections 11 and 12, closely registering one with inthe other andhaving a sliding fit,- so that the movable section 12, forming a portionof the discharge-pipe carried by the tank 1, is permitted to freely workup and down withi-n the fixed section 11 as the tank risesand falls. Theupper fixed pipe-section 11 of the telescopic joint 10 has extended fromthe upper end thereof a valve-chamber 13, within which is arranged anupwardlyopening gravity check-valve 14, which prevents return flow ofwater through the discharge-pipe cl-into the tank when the water isrelieved from the pressure of the compressed air, and to provide for theoutlet of the water from the discharge pipe 9 and the telescopic jointthereof the ch'eck-valvecasing or chamber 13 is coupled at its upper endto the main water-delivery pipe 15,- which extends above the well orrese rvo'ir to the point of use.

The fixed and movable sections 11 and 12 of the telescopic pipe-joint 10are provided in adjacent walls with the norm ally-disalinedexhaust-ports 16. t The disalinement of these ports is maintained whenthe vertically-movable tank 1 is in its lower position; but when saidtank is elevated the said ports are brought into register or ali'nement,sothat the air contained within the tank and it's pipe will find theproper ven-t, so as to admit of the'refilli'ng of the tank. The completevent 7 ing of the vertically-movable receiving 'ta'nk 1 is accomplishedthrough the medium of a vent tube 17 extending longitudinally throughthe discharge-pipe 9 and provided its upper end with a hook or similarconnection 18, engaging with afixed point of attack ment on or withinthe fixed sect-ion 11 of the telescopic pipe -'joint 10, therebyproviding means for holding the vent-tube 17 stationary for the rollingor shifting weight 32.

in arelatively-fixed position,wliile at the same time not interferingwith the vertical movementor the buoyant action of the tank 1. Thevent-tube 17 is provided at a point near the telescopic pipe-joint 10with a vent-opening 19, which permits of the exhaust of air from thevent tube and its consequent escape through the exhaustports 16 of thetelescopic joint. The vent-tube 17 of the discharge-pipe is provided inits lower end with an elbow 20, extending around the lower end of thedischarge-pipe 9,;and with an upstanding inletlimb 21, which projectsupwardly within the tank 1 to a point near the top thereof and isprovided at its upper end with a valve-seat 22, adapted to receivethereon an exhaustvalve 23, fitted to the lower end of the valvestem24:, the upper end of which valve-stem has fitted thereto an air-cut-offvalve 25, ar-

ranged to Work over an interior valve-seat 26, located within anair-inlet chamber 27. The stem2 t, carrying the valves 23 and 25, issteadied in its movements by a guide 28, fitted inthe top portion of thetank 1. The air inlet chamber 27 communicates at its lower open end withthe interior of the tank 1 at the top of the latter and has coupled toits upper end oneend of the compressed-air-supply pipe 29, the other endof which is connected with a suitable air-compressor or airpump whichprovides for supplying air under pressure to the apparatus. Thecompressed air supply pipe 29 is preferably pro- 'vided contiguous toits connection with the air-inlet chamber 27 with a coiled flexible orspring section 30, which will readily contract and expand to permit ofthe free vertical movement of the movable or buoyant tank-1.

To insure a'proper operation of the apparatus, there is preferablyassociated with the same an overbalanc'e device which serves to holdthetank a sufficient length of time in either of its extreme positions toinsure a proper action of the apparatus.- This overbalance device may besubstituted by any equivalent device that will accomplish the sameres-ult-" namely, to hold the tank 1 stationary at the limit of eachmovement for a certain period-but the preferable form of device foraccomplishing the desired end is shown in the drawings and substantiallyconsists of a tilting weight-lever 31 and a rolling or shifting weight32 supported by said lever and capable of a shifting movement from oneend thereof to the other.- The tilting Weightlever 30 is pivotallysupported intermediate its ends, as at 33, on a-rfixed point of attachment and is provided with a longitudinal groove or way 34 to form aretaining-guide At a point contiguous toan'd at one side of its pivot33' the pivoted weight-lever 31 has slidably connected thereto, by meansof a loop or equivalent connection 35, the upper end of an adjusting-rod 36-, the lower end of which is fixedly attached to theair-inlet chamber or other part of the tank 1, so that as the tank ICC)rises and falls the lever 31 will be tilted or oscillated with aconsequent shifting of the weight 32 thereon. I

In the action of the tank 1 and the parts associated therewith, as justdescribed, it may be assumed that the tank 1 is filled with water orother liquid, and is thereby in its lowered position, as shown in Fig. 1of the drawings. In this position the water-inlet valve 4 is closed uponits seat to provide for covering the water-inlet opening 3, and theexhaust-valve 23 rests upon the seat at the upper end of the inlet-limb21 of the venttube 17, thereby cutting off communication between thistube and the interior of the tank 1, while at the same time holding theair-cut-ofi valve 25 elevated above its seat, and thus openingcommunication between the tank and the compressed-air-supply pipe 29.The compressed air is therefore free to pass from the air-compresser orair-pump through the pipe 29 and its flexible or spring section 30 intothe air-inlet chamber 27 in the top portion of the tank 1. The pressureof air exerted upon the body of water in the tank 1 forcibly expels thiswater through the discharge-pipe 9 and its telescopic joint 10 into themain water-delivery pipe 15, which carries the water to the point ofuse. When the tank 1 has been nearly emptied, and is thereforenecessarily filled with air, the buoyancy thereof causes the same torise, which movement brings the air-cut-off valve 25 to its seat, thuscutting off the further supply of compressed air, while at the same timeelevating the exhaust-valve 23 and uncovering the inlet end of thevent-tube 17. closing of the air-cut-off valve 25 the watercheck valve1-3 necessarily closes and prevents the return flow of water, and theexhaust-ports 16 of the telescopic pipe-joint 10 come into register andpermit of the exhausting or venting of the air within the interior ofthe tank 1 as the water rushes in through the valved water-inlet opening3 to refill the tank. During the upward movement of the tank 1 the lever31 is tilted in a direction to shift the weight 32 to one end thereof,and the weight in such position will, in connection with the buoyancy ofthe tank, hold the same in its elevated position until the same is againfilled, after which the weight of the water therein will cause it toagain descend and shift the various working parts to their originalpositions to admit of the supply of compressed air for forciblyexpelling the water through the discharge-pipe and its connections.

As already explained, the stationary tank 2 below the tank 1 is utilizedto insure a continuous discharge of water through the mainwater-delivery pipe 15, and reference will now be made to the conjointaction of the two tanks and the parts combined with the stationary tank.The said stationary tank 2 is provided at the bottom thereof with awater-inlet opening 37, covered and uncover l/Vith thev ed by aninwardly-opening valve 4, constructed and operating in the same manneras the valve 4, associated with the tank 1, and at the top thereof thestationary tank 2 has communicating therewith an air-inlet chamber 38,having a branch-pipe connection 39 with the main com pressedair-supplypipe 29 above the point of connection of the pipe with the air-inletchamber 27 for the movable tank 1. The air-inlet chamber 38,communicating with the top of the stationary tank 2, has arrangedtherein a valve-seat 39, above which Works an air-cut-off valve 40,fitted to the upper end of a vertically-reciprocating valve-stem 41, thelower end of which stem is arranged in the path of thelaterally-deflected tappet-arm 42 at the lower end of the exhaust-valvestem 43. The exhaust-valve stem 43 works through a vent-port 44 in thetop of the tank 2 and has a suitable loose connection 45 at its upperend with the bottom of the movable tank 1, so that the movements of thislatter tank may be utilized to provide for controlling the air cut-ofiand exhaust valves of the tank 2. The exhaustvalve stem 43 has fittedthereto within the tank 2 an exhaust-valve 46, arranged to cover anduncover the vent-port 44 in the manner to be presently explained.

To provide for the discharge of water from the lower stationary tank 2,the same has depending therein a water-discharge pipe 47, provided at asuitable point with a gravity vertically-movable check-valve 48, andhaving a branch-pipe connection 49 with the main water-delivery pipe 15.It will be observed that when the tank 1 is in its lowered position andthe water or other liquid discharged therefrom in the manner describedthe eX- haust-valve 46 is held below the port 44 and the cut-off valve40 is seated so as to cut off the supply of air from the tank 2, thuspermitting the valve 40 to open and the said tank to fill with water.Upon the upward movement of the tank '1, as the same is about emptied ofits water, the said movement of the tank 1 closes the vent-port 44 andat the same time brings the tappet-arm 42 on the exhaust-valve steininto contact with the valve-stem 41 -of the air-cut-oif valve 40,thereby elevating this valve above its seat and permitting thecompressed air to enter the tank 2 to forcibly expel the water therefromthrough the pipe 47 and the branch pipe 49 into the main delivery-pipe15. It will thus be seen that the construction just described in elfectconstitutes a double-acting water or liquid elevating apparatus,inasmuch as one tank fills with water at the same time the other isemptying, thus causing a continuous and even stream to discharge throughthe delivery-pipe 15.

In carrying out the invention it may be found desirable to change ormodify the parts without affecting the operation just described, auditwill therefore be understood that various changes in the form,proportion,

nation with a vertically-movable tank, and means for intermittentlysupplying aeriform .fiuid thereto, of aliquid-eduction pipe, and atelescopic connection between said eductionpipe and the tank and havingmembers provided with vent-ports, one of said members being shiftablewith the tank to alternately bring the vent-ports into registration anddisalined relation, substantially as described.

2. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination with avertically-movable tank, and means for intermittently supplying aeriformfluid thereto, of a liquid-eduction pipe, a telescopic connectionbetween said eduction-pipe and the tank and including members pro.-vided with eduction-ports, and a separate valved vent-pipe sustainedindependently of the tank and discharging into the telescopicconnection, substantially as described.

3. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination with avertically-movable tank, and means for intermittentlysupplying aeriformfluid thereto, of a liquid-eduction pipe, a telescopic connectionbetween said ed notion-pipe and the tank and including members providedwith eduction-ports, a vent-pipe sustained independently of the tank anddischarging into the telescopic connection, and

air inlet and exhaust valves operable to alternately control theadmission of air to the tank and the exhaust of air therefrom throughthe vent-pipe, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movablereceiving-tank having a bottom valved liquid-inlet, a liquid-dischargepipe extending within the tank and having an exterior telescopic jointprovided with airexhausting ports, and means, controlled by the movementof the tank for automatically providing forthe supply of air to the tankand the exhaust thereof through said exhausting-ports, substantially asset forth.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, abuoyant liquid-receivin gtank provided with a bottom valved inlet, a discharge-pipe extendingwithin the tank and provided with an exterior telescopic pipe-jointhaving air-exhausting ports, a vent-tube communicating with thetelescopic joint of the dischargepipe and with the interior of the tank,and means, controlled by the movement of the tank, for automaticallyproviding for the supply of compressed air thereto and the exhaust ofthe airthrough the vent-tube, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movablesubmerged receiving tank provided at the bottom with a valvedliquid-inlet, a discharge-tube extending within the tank, and. providedexterior thereof with a telescopic joint having air-exhausting ports, acompressed-air-supply pipe having a connection with the tank, avent-tube communicating respectively with the interior of thedischarge-pipe and the top portion of the receiving-tank, and aircut-off and exhaust valves automatically adjusted by the movement of thetank to provide for controlling thesupplyof. compressed air and theexhaust thereof through the vent-tube, substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movablereceivingtankprovided at the bottom with a valved liquid-inlet, adischarge-pipe extending within the tank and provided exterior thereofwith a telescopic joint having air-exhausting ports adapted to aline anddisaline, the fixed section of the telescopic joint having an interiorcheckvalve anda connection with the deliverypipe, an air-inlet chamberin communication with the tank at the top and provided with an interiorvalve-seat, a compressed-air-supply pipe connected with said air-inletchamber, a vent-tube suspended within the discharge-pipe from the fixedsection of the telescopic joint and provided with a vent-opening andhaving an inlet-limbextending upward within the tank to a point near thetop,

and a movable valvestem carrying at its upper end a cut-off valvecooperating with the.

seat within the air-inlet chamber, and at its lower end an exhaust-valveWorking over the opening at the inlet end of the vent-tube,substantiallyas set forth.

8. In a liquid elevating system, the combination with avertically-movablev tank, and an eduction-pipe having a compensatingconnection therewith, of a vent-pipe sustained independently of andsuspended partly in the tank and having an upturned limb provided with avalve-seat, an air-inlet valve, an exhaust-valve adapted to the seatofthe ventpipe, a stem connecting the two valves, and a valve-seat carriedby said tank and adapted for the air-inlet valve, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination of a vertically-movabletank, an eduction-pipe, an air-supply chamber carried by the tank andhaving a valve-seat, a supplypipe to said chamber, a stationaryvent-pipe suspended in the tank and having a valveseat in alinement withthe seat of the air-sup ply chamber, and the connected inlet and exhaustvalves adapted respectively to the seats of said chamber and thevent-pipe by the rise and fall of the tank, substantially as described.1

10. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination of the air-supply andeduction pipes, a vertically-movable tank, individual compensatingconnections between said pipes and the tank, means for controlling theadmission of air to and exhaust from the tank, a sup- .port fixed to andupheld by said pipes over the tank, an oscillatory lever pivotedcentrallyto said support, a weight movable freely on the lever, and arod connected with the tank and to the lever at one side of its pivot toshift the latter on the rise and fall of the tank, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a compressed-air water-elevator, the combination of. a floatabletank having a valved inlet, a stationary tank also provided with avalved inlet and arranged below the floatable tank, a pressu re-supplypipe, a compensating valved connection between said pressure-pipe andthe floatable tank, a separate valved exhaust from the floatable tankand controlled by the travel of the tank itself, a branch connectionfrom the pressurepipe to a supply-chamber on said stationary tank, avalve in said chamber, a rod operatively related to the valve andconnected to the movable tank, and an eduction-pipe having acompensating connection with the movable tank and a branched valvedconnection With the stationary tank, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS J. DEMOREST.

Witnesses:

J. N. CLARKE, G. W. NYE.

